US-Led Mineral Security Partnership Applauds New Germanium Contract in DRC
The Mineral Security Partnership (MSP), spearheaded by the United States, celebrates the recent germanium purchasing and processing agreement between STL, a subsidiary of Générale des Carrières et des Mines (Gécamines), and Belgian company Umicore.
This collaboration, highlighted in a press release on May 8, 2024, underscores MSP’s commitment to securing critical mineral supply chains while fostering economic growth in regions like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
By facilitating sustainable recycling and bolstering technical expertise in the DRC, the agreement promotes the circular economy and strengthens Gécamines’ pivotal role in mineral processing.
Moreover, this partnership significantly boosts global germanium supply, vital for various high-tech applications like semiconductors and solar cells, benefiting American, European, and Japanese markets alike.
Under the long-term partnership, Umicore will support STL in extracting germanium from the Big Hill tailings site in Lubumbashi, DRC, enhancing the value derived from mining activities within the country.
Utilizing Umicore’s refining and recycling expertise, STL aims to optimize its new processing facility, set to refine germanium concentrates onsite starting from the last quarter of 2024. This venture promises to elevate DRC’s mineral sector while meeting the growing demand for germanium worldwide.
